LPB is one big dude

N

nachoman

I'm putting together a Jordan model T delivery van. As I was about to glue the top on, I thought - that empty driver's seat is rather conspicuous. So, I pulled out my box of atlas unpainted figures, found a seated gentleman, and placed him in the seat to test-fit. Big problem - my driver is WAY too big!! Pulling out the scale ruler - it turns out this dude would make a nice NBA forward. Is it possible the atlas figures are actually OO scale? has anyone found an appropriate LPB to sit in such a vehicle?

Kevin
 

MilesWestern

Active Member
Prieser makes "sitting truck drivers" some of which have full legs, and some do not. Check those out and backdate the clothing to suit your era. Other than that look for period sitting figures.
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
Even the seated figures often need major surgery before they can go for a drive. Most need their lower legs amputated, and their bums filed flat, while some need a drastically deeper cut. :eek: Another useful technique is the X-Acto lobotomy, especially handy for those wearing hats. I've started to assemble kit cars, like Jordan, and Sylvan, so that the body is removeable from the chassis, allowing the figures to be added or removed as the situation requires.

Wayne
 

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
shudders....makes note to never get on the good doctor's bad side anytime in the near future!
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
I don't think that a Model T was an overly spacious vehicle in any case... You might try Priser or WS figures to see if you can get one to fit. I agree with Wayne that surgery may be required. :eek:

Andrew
 

60103

Pooh Bah
Someone in the UK was using HO figures in OO coaches because of the lost space due to thick sides and roofs. Maybe we need to investigate TT scale figures as I know N scale really looks small.
 

Glen Haasdyk

Active Member
I'd try the preiser figures, they tend to be a little one the slimer side that others and since they're styrene plastic they take modifications easily.
 
If you can assemble/build a Jordan kit, you could possibly scratchbuild your own LPB...or is that just turkey-leftovers-induced crazy talk?
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
Actually, turkey carving skills might come in handy when adjusting the posture of those LPBs. ;) No drumsticks allowed in the vehicle, please!

Wayne
 
Perhaps you could try soaking briefly in CA or some other corrosive agent. I've heard this technique suggested for thinning overly thick plastic detail parts. It may reduce the fine detail, however. Just thinking out loud...of course use all appropriate safety precautions.
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
Most model vehicles don't allow that great of a view of the occupants, so the surgical modifications aren't readily apparent. Even this joker in a Model T roadster, who lost both feet in a threshing accident, :twisted: looks fairly normal. In a previous life, he drove a Revell cab-over Ford hauling an automobile carrier, and was chrome-plated. :eek: I had always thought him to be a bit undersize for HO, but he certainly fills the driver's seat (and then some) of this Tin Lizzie.
Foe-toes_at_Indian_Line_012.jpg


Both of the buses in the next two pictures have a driver and a few passengers: I believe the first one is carrying mostly pirates, with all peg-legs in the overhead luggage racks. :p:twisted:
260406_088.jpg


This bus is a bit smaller, so most riders are double amputees, usually at the hips, and a few won't be waving out the window, either. The bus must be equipped with hand controls, as there's no way the driver can reach the pedals. ;)
Train_Brain_113.jpg


Here's a slightly closer look at the car in the second photo. This is one of the ones with a removeable body (as you can see by the gap between the body and the rear fender - it actually does fit well, but the photographer wasn't very careful when he plunked it down here for the portrait. Or perhaps the occupants mistook the photographer for the guy who did a slice-and-dice on them, and were eager to get re-acquainted. :twisted: There's a driver and companion in the front seat (with re-positioned inboard limbs, I believe), plus another in the back seat. I believe that they're on what the locals refer to as a "six foot drive" (as in looking-for);) All three have the latest flattop look, too.
Latest_proto_foe-toes_042.jpg


Wayne
 
N

nachoman

Wayne, once again excellent ideas and photos. I wound up taking atlas figure, slicing his boots off, and repositioning his right arm so that it kinda grips the steering wheel. I also had to file his back flat so that he would sit on the seat. Because this car has no doors, one can see that he has no feet if he/she looks close enough - but I doubt anyone ever will.

Kevin
 
N

nachoman

well, here he is, Mr Dalbert Druthers. He owns a local fuel supply and general store in town, supplying all the townsfolk who still cook on wood stoves. He has no feet, and he can almost move his right hand enough to touch the steering wheel. His wife Mary is expecting thieir fourth child, and Dalbert es excited that in 5 or so years, he will have another source of cheap labor for his store.

PS - this thing is REALLY tiny!

Kevin
 

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doctorwayne

Active Member
I finally decided to do something useful today, but got sidetracked and took some pictures instead. :p Here are a few vehicles, with their LPB drivers.

WARNING: Some scenes may not be suitable for younger viewers or those with weak stomachs.

These two truck drivers are in their cabs to stay:
Layout_views_etc_1-022B.jpg


Layout_views_etc_1-023B.jpg


A cabby and his fare: This is a MiniMetals car that I took apart, put some chopped-down LPBs in place then re-assembled the vehicle.
Layout_views_etc_1-019B.jpg


Here's that ex-truckdriver in his Model T. He's not glued into his vehicle like the previous three, but the steering wheel was glued in place after he was seated, effectively trapping him:
Layout_views_etc_1-025B.jpg


I did mention about the threshing accident, although it's difficult to see the results here:
Layout_views_etc_1-037B.jpg


The milkman driving this delivery wagon didn't need to be altered to fit on the driver's seat, a lucky break for him:
Layout_views_etc_1-024B.jpg


Here's that Essex again, with all of the LPBs visible:
Layout_views_etc_1-021B.jpg


And an even better view, showing their flattened heads and lack of feet: :twisted:
Layout_views_etc_1-031B.jpg


Here's a bus:
Layout_views_etc_1-026B.jpg


And an interior view, showing why there are no standees:
Layout_views_etc_1-033B.jpg


Here's another bus:
Layout_views_etc_1-027B.jpg


And a closer look: (most of the figures are intact, except for a few missing toes)
Layout_views_etc_1-036B.jpg


This Hoffentoth Bros. delivery truck is a Sylvan kit:
Layout_views_etc_1-039B.jpg


The driver, or at least all that Sylvan provided, can barely see over the dash:
Layout_views_etc_1-030B.jpg


At least I was kind enough to give hime a booster seat:
Layout_views_etc_1-040B.jpg


This is another one from Sylvan:
Layout_views_etc_1-041B.jpg


Although the supplied driver suffers from a similar deformity, he can see out the window just fine (and pedestrians and other motorists are unaware of his handicap):
Layout_views_etc_1-042B.jpg


Except as noted, all vehicles are from Jordan Products.

Wayne
 
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